Atlanta Dream vs Los Angeles Sparks Picks and Prediction for Thursday, August 20, 2026
The Atlanta Dream visit the Los Angeles Sparks at crypto.com Arena on Thursday, with the opening tip at 11:00 PM ET. Atlanta is 22-13, second in the Eastern Conference, and 10-7 on the road after beating Las Vegas 97-82 Tuesday. The Dream are 3-2 over their last five games. Los Angeles is 12-23, seventh in the Western Conference, and 5-11 at home after losing 85-77 to Connecticut. The Sparks have lost five straight games. Get set for Thursday night with our free WNBA picks.
Atlanta Dream Bring Plenty of Scoring Options
Atlanta averages 90.1 points per game while producing 35.4 rebounds and 20.8 assists. The Dream are coming off a strong offensive showing against Las Vegas and have scored at least 91 points in four of their last five games, including 104 against Connecticut and 107 against Toronto. Allisha Gray leads Atlanta with 19.6 points per game, while Rhyne Howard adds 17.8. Angel Reese averages 15.6 points and a team-high 12.1 rebounds, including 5.1 offensive rebounds.
The Dream allow 85.8 points per game, giving Atlanta a clear season scoring margin. Opponents shoot 47.9% from the field against the Dream, but Atlanta creates problems by averaging 8.8 steals. Howard leads the team with 2.3 steals per game, while Jordin Canada adds 2.0. Atlanta also has a major rebounding advantage in this matchup, averaging 35.4 boards compared with 31.1 for Los Angeles. The Dream won the first meeting 101-92 on July 13.
Injuries: Indya Nivar (Out), Brionna Jones (Out).
Los Angeles Sparks Try to End Five-Game Losing Streak
Los Angeles averages 88.3 points per game while shooting 46.4% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range. The Sparks have struggled to maintain that production recently, scoring 78, 87, 81, 70, and 77 during their five-game losing streak. Nneka Ogwumike leads Los Angeles with 16.9 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 50.9%. Dearica Hamby contributes 15.1 points and 7.3 rebounds, while Rae Burrell averages 14.3 points and shoots 46.1% from the field.
Defense remains the larger problem for Los Angeles. The Sparks surrender 93.0 points per game while opponents shoot 47.7% overall and 34.2% from three. Los Angeles has allowed at least 84 points in four of its last five games and now faces an Atlanta offense that has topped 100 twice during that span. The Sparks also commit 14.2 turnovers per game and will be without Erica Wheeler, their season leader with 5.3 assists per game, creating another challenge against Atlanta’s active defense.
Injuries: Monique Akoa Makani (Out), Erica Wheeler (Out), Cameron Brink (Out).
Key Player Matchup
Angel Reese vs Nneka Ogwumike
Reese gives Atlanta a major advantage on the glass, averaging 12.1 rebounds, including 5.1 offensive boards, along with 15.6 points per game. Ogwumike leads Los Angeles with 16.9 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 50.9%. Reese’s offensive rebounding can create extra possessions for a Dream team already averaging 90.1 points. Ogwumike needs to keep Reese away from the offensive glass while providing reliable interior scoring for a Sparks team that has failed to reach 90 points throughout its five-game losing streak.
Atlanta Dream vs Los Angeles Sparks Game Pick
- Atlanta Dream -8.5
Atlanta -8.5 is the game pick because the Dream enter with better recent form and a clear defensive advantage. Atlanta has won three of five while Los Angeles has dropped five straight, and the Dream have scored 97 or more in three of their last four games. Atlanta also won the first meeting 101-92. The Sparks surrender 93.0 points per game and are missing Wheeler and Brink. With Gray, Howard and Reese providing multiple scoring options, Atlanta has enough offense to build a lead and cover the 8.5-point spread.
Atlanta Dream vs Los Angeles Sparks Over/Under Pick
- Under 182.5
Under 182.5 is the total pick despite the scoring potential on both sides. Los Angeles has failed to score 90 points in each game of its five-game losing streak, averaging 78.6 points during that stretch. Atlanta has the offense to approach its 90.1-point season average, but the Dream also allow only 85.8 per game. The first meeting reached 193 points, but Los Angeles enters this rematch in weaker offensive form. Atlanta controlling the game while the Sparks remain below their season scoring average will help cash the under.